Arctic blast
Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY
Date published: 30 November 2010
Winter arrives with a vengeance
HEAVY overnight snow caused severe disruption across the borough today to add to the misery of the big chill blowing in from the Arctic.
Many drivers were forced to abandon their cars on treacherous side streets while main routes were at a standstill. High winds created blizzard-like conditions in Saddleworth and several farms were isolated as snow drifts of up to 18ins were reported.
But most of the roads into Yorkshire remained passable with extreme care.
Schools across the borough were hit.
Among those which were confirmed as closed this morning were Hathershaw secondary school and Kingfisher Special School, Chadderton. Mather Street Primary, Failsworth, was also forced to shut because it had no hot water or heating.
Temperatures fell to -2.9 C (27F) overnight and frustrated drivers endured nightmare journeys.
One took 50 minutes to travel a mile on the A62 Huddersfield Road and traffic was nose to tail on the steep section at Austerlands.
Another town-centre worker left his Mossley home at 6.40am and said: “The main road was clear, I just couldn’t drive off the side road.
“I walked from Mossley to Grotton for about 40 minutes then caught a bus to Oldham. The bus was packed — it was a double decker as well.
“To be honest, I probably would have been just as quick walking all the way.”
Mark Flynn, landlord of the Golden Fleece, Oldham Road, Denshaw, added: “I tried to go out at about 5.30am this morning but I had no chance.
“There was about two inches of snow and the roads were covered in ice, I had to turn around and go back.
“Everything is covered but the gritters have been out this morning so the road is starting to clear.
“It’s only the first snowfall though, I just hope it won’t be as bad as last winter.”
Chronicle weatherman Damian Rodgers forecast more snow today and possibly overnight.
Drivers are being warned not to leave their car engines running to defrost their vehicles after three were stolen in the space of 20 minutes yesterday morning
A Vauxhall Insignia and an Audi A3 were taken from Prestwich and a BMW 1from Ashton.
Detective Superintendent Mark Bell said: “People can be tempted to leave their car engine running on a frosty morning while they keep nice and warm inside their house. However, it only takes a few seconds for a thief to steal a car when the keys have been left in the ignition.
“Motorists should also remember that insurance companies may not pay out if vehicles are stolen after being left unattended with the keys in the ignition.”
Schools reported as closed this morning include:
Bare Trees, Chadderton; Christ Church, Denshaw; Greenhill, Oldham; Hathershaw; Kingfisher, Chadderton; Mather Street, Failsworth; Medlock Valley (nursery); Fitton Hill; Mills Hill (nursery), Chadderton; Richmond, Oldham.
